TWO Salford Red Devils players have tested positive for Covid-19 four days before the Challenge Cup Final - and it has led to drama at The Halliwell Jones Stadium this afternoon.
Their opponents in this afternoon's clash in Warrington were also waiting for the outcome of testing results, meaning the game was close to being called off at the final hour.
Salford have had two rounds of routine Covid-19 testing since last Thursday’s Betfred Super League match against Huddersfield Giants.
The results of the second round of testing were received this morning. Two players tested positive, and have been required to self-isolate.
The results of a further two players were inconclusive – they are also self-isolating as a precaution, ahead of further information being received.
A further eight players have been ruled out of today’s match through injury, but the decision has been taken to honour the fixture, in order to preserve the integrity of the competition.
Training sessions were cancelled on both Sunday and Monday as a precautionary measure, meaning no additional players are impacted.
Hull KR coach Tony Smith, the former Warrington Wolves boss, said the game came close to being called off after tests from two of his players came back inconclusive.
Rovers were down to 15 players at one stage before being told certain players could play this afternoon and kick-off was put back by an hour while the matter was resolved.
“We’ve had a couple of inconclusive tests and apparently they’re not allowed to play,” Smith said.
“I think they were checking to see who else may have been affected if they come back positive.
“We’ve had to get two boys retested this afternoon and won’t get the results until tomorrow.
“We were sat on the bus for an hour and a half or so while they decided how we were going to attack this, whether we kept going with it or not.
“We’re grateful and probably lucky to be playing this afternoon. It was close.”
Hull KR and Wembley-bound Salford Red Devils were due to kick-off their afternoon fixture in Warrington at 2pm, but that was moved to 3pm.
The game will be followed by Hull against Huddersfield at 5.30pm and then Warrington Wolves versus the other Challenge Cup Finalists Leeds Rhinos at 7.45pm.
Fantastic to see Hull KR captain Mose Masoe is with the Robins team today after all that he has been through.
> Mose Masoe's remarkable battle as he recovers from career ending injury
⏰ KICK OFF CHANGE
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 13, 2020
Today’s @Betfred Super League fixture between @hullkrofficial and @SalfordDevils will now kick off at 3pm. The match was due to kick off at 2pm.
This is due to the clubs awaiting final Covid-19 test results. pic.twitter.com/2glnLUrPuK
❤️ Captain, @MoseMasoe is in the house!
— Hull Kingston Rovers (@hullkrofficial) October 13, 2020
So good to see this man back out with the team. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/TPf1wjTG1f
🗣️ Head coach, Tony Smith gives an update on today's delayed kick-off.
— Hull Kingston Rovers (@hullkrofficial) October 13, 2020
As well as talking about Mose's return to gamedays. 💪 pic.twitter.com/BKjFJXjU7x
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